Super lawyer David Boies enters RI pension lawsuit

David Boies, one of the nation’s top lawyers, has agreed to help argue the Rhode Island pension overhaul lawsuit that is winding it way through state courts.

Boies, who practices in New York City, has been involved in many celebrated cases, including the Gore v. Bush case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court and decided in favor of Republican George W. Bush in a 5-4 decision. Boies represented Al Gore in that matter.

Boies has most recently been in the news as a lawyer for two California gay couples who are challenging that state’s anti-gay marriage Proposition 8. Boies has predicted that the U.S. Supreme Court will eventually take up the case and rule in favor of his clients.

In Rhode Island, unions representing state employees have mounted a legal challenge to an overhaul of  the state retirement system that cut some pension cost-of-living benefits to state employees and retirees.

In Rhode Island, Boies will be representing the state retirement system, which is one of the parties to the union lawsuit.

“The governor is delighted to have someone of his reputation and ability represent one of the defendants in this case,’’ said Chris Hunsinger, spokeswoman for Gov. Lincoln Chafee.